Only two days ago via a local publishing company website did I learn that it was Caribbean Heritage Month! This lead (led in US English increasingly crossing over into UK English much to my dismay) me to believe that it was meant for a British national celebratory month that I was horrified to not have known about sooner. Through a little research I found out that June is infact Caribbean-American Heritage Month. I still feel the need to research that further to see where England and possibly the rest of Europe (Canada must have this also right?) stand in that regard.
Nevertheless I am excited and elated to celebrate my people and their contributions to society, history, economies and most certainly culture. The irony with Windrush Day having just been (subtly) celebrated in Britain, of the overlooked contributions and extreme sacrifices of Caribbean/West Indian people in the UK, lays heavy on my heart. For those that know, the politics and disrespect behind it especially of late are severe. However, I will not focus on the culprits or institutional BS that owes a great debt of reparations- with interest for what Caribbean people and Caribbean lands have brought to their economic prosperity.
FYI especially for those outside of the UK, 'Windrush' was the name of the famous ship (HB Empire Windrush) that brought a large amount of young Caribbean people from a Jamaican port to England post WWII. In 1948 there was the historic arrival of 500 odd passengers of the Commonwealth that were recruited by invitation from the British government to help build back the economy, with the false dream of good opportunities, housing, jobs and a better life. This event changed Britain's history forever with the influx of West Indian immigrants who mostly spread between London, the Midlands- mainly Birmingham, Liverpool and Bristol to my knowledge. It was only from a great documentary last year that was called Fighting for King and Empire: Britain's Caribbean Heroes that I finally found the history of why there are so many Afro-Caribbeans in South London.
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It is apparently because when the post WWII/Windrush Caribbeans were left stranded to fend for themselves, falling into the hands of terrorising racism in the areas from which they were abandoned, thus they could not survive there. They could not get housing therefore many were taken to Clapham (South London) in large groups of where they set-up 'pardons' which were community money pots to help each of them buy a house in surrounding areas, which they were all able to achieve at the then low prices. Thus a thriving community of Afro-Caribbeans (primarily Jamaican) grew and subsequently became appealing to Caribbean immigrants decades later as a result. The British Caribbean population still remains at large in South London, undoubtedly seen within the culture, however Caribbeans are now the minority among the ethnic groups as immigration from all over the world has grown significantly (everywhere). Funnily enough with that given history the official WASP organisation in South London is completely different to the WASP group of people among Americans and Europeans.
However, in 2018 when the "Windrush Scandal" came about which was more than just a scandal as the news subtly put it, as it was infact a crime against humanity. The British government took back their promise and targeted members of the Windrush generation claiming that they were no longer British and if they had not had their "documentation" in order or if they committed a crime in the UK (even if they served their sentences years ago) they were to be deported to any island without warning or settlement plan to support themselves there nor their family left in England. This was a devastating, disgrace that provoked further tensions between Caribbean communities and the British government so to speak. My people have endured, built, sacrificed and suffered a lot. The thriving multi-ethnic communities across the UK today, are largely due to the hard work, labour, love and losses of the Caribbean community- specifically the Windrush generation. History would prove this, I don't care to argue that fact.
With this post I will simply celebrate Caribbeans particular those in America considering that it is apparently their month of origin, and inform my readers of a few things. Shedding positive light and fun facts of the Caribbean presence in America, more so because of the undermined and mostly negative representation they get in the media from both fiction and non-fiction depictions in film and TV- don't even get me started on the dreadful last season of Netflix's Luke Cage!
Did you know that it was Jamaican born couple Marie Van Britton Brown (Jamaicans and Spanish people do love a 4 worded name) and her husband Albert Brown who invented and patented the first home security system in America? They (the wife's idea along with her husband's ingenuity) did this in New York 1966. There are actually news reports about this including an article in the New York Times.
By now everyone should know that the current Vice President of USA is Kamala Harris, who's fame is debatably yet largely due to the argument and discovery of her ethnic identity. The fact is that she is of Jamaican and Indian heritage.
Iconic Actor Sidney Poitier is from the Bahamas which is slightly detected in his accent, however he became one of- if not the first, leading Black men in Hollywood. More so for playing his uncompromising roles of a dignified educated Black man as opposed to unaccomplished or uneducated negative stereotypes. I am still annoyed that during BHM last year, Sky Arts did not feature the hot celebrity romances of Poitier and Diahann Carroll nor Cicely Tyson and Miles Davis in their Hollywood Couples series KMT. I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME BSKYB BECAUSE YOU TOOK HEED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT I DIRECTED TO YOU. FIX UP AND REPRESENT MORE EQUALLY!
Speaking of which, it was confirmed to me last week why (RIP) Cicely Tyson used what I thought to be an awful Caribbean accent in the film Hoodlum. According to my research it was because she is actually born to parents from Nevis! Glad to know so I can allow it.
Shirley Chisholm, for those that do not know or may have not read my previous Black History (BHM) articles, she was the first Black woman elected into Congress. Furthermore, she was the first Black person to run for President of America in 1972. Chisholm's family are from Barbados.
Former General and USA Secretary of State (2001-2005) Colin Powell, is of Jamaican heritage, although it may not show in the slightest. I personally have not even heard him mention it himself but it is common knowledge.
Sanya Richards-Ross, one of the winners of the women's Team USA Sprinters is from Jamaica but professionally represented the USA. I loved seeing her full of such much pride and happiness for both her homeland team and native country at the 2012 Olympic Games. As a matter of fact the past decade has seen female Sprinters of Caribbean heritage truly soar.
Only a few years ago did I found out that Actor and long-time Activist Harry Belafonte was of Jamaican heritage. Which kind of makes sense given his multiple album Calypso music career. Two other Actors that are Caribbean of which I was happy for their success in Hollywood whereas England would have kept them held back, are (no not Idris although it is a common mistake) Delroy Lindo (Jamaican) and Eamonn Walker (Grenadian and Trinidadian/Tobagonian).
The Actress Garcelle Beauvais known for The Jamie Foxx Show, reoccurring appearances in supernatural series Grimm and The Librarians, but for me she's more recognisable as the leading lady in the classic (he who shall not be mentioned at present) music video Down Low, one of the best narrative videos ever! In my strong directorial opinion. Anyway, beautiful Beauvais is Haitian. It fascinated me when watching one of her old interviews, she said that she learned English from watching Sesame Street. I was additionally glad for her and other influential Haitians when they came together in aid of the Port-au-Prince 2010 earthquake. Let's not go there, let's keep it light! It took me by great surprise to find out that Kerri Washington was of Jamaican heritage, apparently her mother is. A Black Hollywood favourite, Nia Long, her family are from many islands of the Caribbean however I think her mother is from the Bahamas. As are the grandparents of Tia and Tamery Mowry actually.
In 2018 Trump
shockingly nominated the first Black American woman for promotion to general
the U.S. Marine Corps and this newsworthy lady is Col. Lorna Mahlock, whom was
born in Jamaica! Mahlock’s entire demographic is quite the shocker for her
appointed position, especially from whom it came! I feel your eyebrows raising too.
William Arthur
Lewis (often just referred to as just Arthur Lewis) is a great name that I learned
about via a circulated video on WhatsApp a year or two ago, that I annoyingly
can no longer find KMT (my Caribbeans will get the acronym). Lewis was
the first Black official academic at London School of Economics (LSE) in 1938. The
St Lucian native not only achieved several qualifications between engineering
and business during a time of sever discrimination and gate-keeping, he also
went onto become an Economist and Noble Prize Winner. Glad to see that LSE has honoured
him well, of late anyway.
It gives me great pleasure to mention this gentleman right now, as I have done so with a few previous tweets, because not only is he from an island that hardly ever gets any shine, he is also one of the French historical figures that I learned about last year in a fantastic documentary about Black Figures in Classic Music! It was amazing I tell you, it should have been highly publicised and repeatedly broadcasted! Joseph Bologne aka Chevalier de Saint George, was born in Guadeloupe 1745 to a Black slave mistress and White slave master which was illegal. Chevalier's father sent him to France at 7yrs old, where he learned how to play the violin, master fencing and was raised with many privileges of high society, eventually becoming a master Violinist and pioneering Composer.
As a matter of fact, Marie Antoinette appointed him to be the Director of the Opera House in Paris! Chevalier's reputation was right up there with the likes of Beethoven and Mozart. However, he became an Abolitionist thus p*ssed off the French government who then disgraced his name and accolades, the rest is history that I'd LOVE to make a film about.
As mentioned in my last BHM post, I wish there was more information given about Dr. Harold Moody. Moody was the Jamaican born Physician and British Civil Rights Leader who founded the League for The Coloured Peoples (LCP) in 1931, which was launched to fight for equality and social reform within housing and employment, following amendments of The Alien Law around 1921 which was aimed at discriminating against Black workers in the legal favour of White English citizens. Note that Moody also fought for Trinidadian oil workers to get equal pay! Whenever I think of him I think of the two male Jamaican Doctors who patented cures for prostate Cancer (registered in America) as I mentioned in previous blogs, look into it.
Caribbean stars of the modelling industry include pioneering Winnie Harlow (Canadian- Jamaican), the beautiful and beautifully vocal Joan Smalls (Puetro Rican & St Thomian), the legendary Grace Jones who I have been reading more about this year (Jamaican) and inimitable Naomi Campbell (Jamaican) who I perhaps reference too much lol. The buffness that is Tyson Beckford (Jamaican) who dominated male modelling all of his career, still memorable from making Ralph Lauren ads look sexy and stealing most of the attention from Toni Braxton in the music video of her biggest hit Unbreak My Heart. I would just like to remark that it's clearly the Jamaican genes of Beckford, Campbell and Jones that kept them so damn ageless.
Speaking of models I must say, it has been so pleasing and a longtime coming to see Caribbean pageant contestants and fashion Models even, being more and more accepted for their African-ancestral features as opposed to the racist unspoken rule of Miss XYZ previously having to appear more or actually be White, Asian (of any kind) or Mixed-Race. Basically, they were often selected and ascended if they looked less Black, despite the fact that Black people dominate the population of the entire Caribbean due to its history of abducted African slaves and dark skin indigenous groups. Where anti-Blackness, colourism and the embarrassing ongoing culture of bleaching is concerned, this gradual notable change is a very big deal as it has a big cultural impact (as seen within the pageant winners South Africa, Australia and America in recent years).
Where Caribbean Heritage Month is concerned we can also praise all the recent pageant girls that I am talking about; like Davina Bennett who famously rocked her natural afro at the Miss Universe 2017 pageant where all the media attention made it her history-making claim to fame. I have seen the domino effect of her afro hair elegance at pageants the past couple of years and it's fabulous. It was also lovely to see Miss Jamaica's Toni-Ann Singh (yes she has that look that I was referring to but she is still very Caribbean and I'm happy for her) win Miss World December 2019. Look at us!
Tatyana Ali whom is most recognised for playing Ashley in the beloved sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (I bought have her first studio album by the way) is of "West Indian" decent. I have to say, it drives me mad every time she says that without ever confirming which country or countries! My friend and I have cussed about this from time to time. No truly proud West Indian does that, it is a simple question, you are who you are. You are proud enough to say the region but never the place, that bothers me as a West Indian. It offends me anytime the odd one does that, as you'd never hear someone from Brazil or Mexico say "I'm South American full stop." They would naturally say the country and done! My guess is that her family are from Trinidad but I'll never know from her verbally. Be proud of who you are people, be proud.
It may enlighten to you as it did me, that Canada has one of the largest populations of Caribbean people (both immigrants and generations deep of settlers) in the world. This began in July 1776 in Halifax, with another wave in 1796 specifically when the Maroons in Jamaica battled against the British and other European invaders. Some slaves and "rebels" were deported but from what I read some years ago; when the Maroons were losing their outnumbered and out-armored battle, many of the tribes fled to Canada for refuge. Also, like many other countries experiencing periodic immigration patterns, there were more waves of Caribbeans immigrants in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Which fluctuated due to changes of immigration laws in Canada vs economic oppression in the Island's. In a radio interview I heard a Jamaican Artist saying that Canada had the largest Caribbean Carnival in the world outside of the Trinidad. I haven't seen this myself first or second hand, so do feel free to enlighten me further on that.
One of my favourite Rappers and eye candy (one of my longest crushes since childhood), LL Cool J, is of Bajian heritage. I recall him saying in an interview that both him and his wife have grandparents from Barbados.
As a matter of fact many of the pioneers, icons, familiar faces, superstars (fame and success does not equate to icon or pioneer I am aware) in Hip Hop are of Caribbean parentage; Biggie (Jamaican), Busta Rhymes (Jamaican), The Fugees (Haitian), Trina (Bahamian and Dominican Rep), Cardi B (Trinidadian and Dominican Rep), MIMS (Jamaican), Nicki Minaj (Trinidad), Noreaga aka N.O.R.E (Puerto Rican), Hurby Azor the former Manager and Producer for Salt 'n' Pepa (Haitian and Trinidadian), Little Mama (Trinidadian), the iconic eye patch wearing Rap legend that is Slick Rick (Britsh born Jamaican), my lovable Fat Joe (Puerto Rican) and of course Big Pun (Puerto Rican), Juelz Santana's name goes without saying (Dominican Rep), one of my brief crushes Cam'ron (Puerto Rican), Fabolous (Dominican Rep) and surprisingly enough Roxanne Shanté (Cuban).
Outside of Rap other Musicians include Singer and Reality Show star Amara La Negra (Dominican Rep), the icon that is Cecelia Cruz (Cuban), one of my favourite couples as mentioned in my poem My Sermon, My Plea Gloria and Emilio Estefan (Cuban), one of my fav's especially his Salsa music Marc Anthony (Puerto Rican), the man arguably responsible for making Latin Pop a commercial success in the late 90's....Ricky Martin (Puerto Rican). Naturally, I cannot collate a list of influential Caribbeans particularly in the world of music and pop-culture, without mentioning the Barbados born Recording Artist turned savvy entrepreneur Rihanna! That lady has really impressed me with her growth, the way she has come into her own with her confidence, her fashion, swag and business sense.
Understandably, some names here may provoke an argument of Latin Americans being involved in this regard however, Spanish speaking countries in the Caribbean are rhetorically technically located in the Caribbean, thus of Caribbean heritage. Therefore I will not deny them celebration of this month, least of all Afro-Latinos from said countries. In saying that, many Reggaeton Artists deserve to be added to my list but to list even just the ones on my radar would be too much. Therefore I'll just go with the obvious, it would be fair to big up Romeo, Ozuna, J Balvin and Bad Bunny. I know there are many others that readers would love to throw in, by all means do so. There are many that I did not list intentionally but that's because I'm saving them for my other material.
Music full stop has an undeniable Caribbean, specifically West Indian, influence that still gets adopted, remixed, stolen, respected with homage, praised and remains timeless today. Afro Beats and the self-explanatory genre 'Reggaeton' are direct influences of West Indian music in the forefront, along with their other cultural influences in the background. There was a hilarious yet angering moment when I was in L.A playing Beenie Man, Baby Cham and other Dancehall songs in my apartment and my Puerto Rican friend walked in and screamed "You're playing Reggaeton!" Once I caught my breath I screamed back "It's Dancehall! Or call it Bashment or Ragga- and REGGAE is slightly different as it's older but either way they are genres that came out DECADES before your new genre HOW DARE YOU!" She didn't understand my vexness but I had to school her rather than let her continue to think or promote that Jamaicans were the ones that copied "No hun."
Make no mistake I do listen to Reggaeton and have quite a few albums however, I am not deaf or blind when it comes to influence and originality. I am also discovering new commercial and independent Afro Beats Artists that are doing great music right about now. They're no Fela but they're entertaining and getting plenty airplay and I love their music videos in particular. I sometimes go through the comments on YouTube to see if today's generation can detect the strong Caribbean influence. It is rarely mentioned or accepted as such but what I do appreciate is when (going back to what I often say about my stance on respect and authenticity) a few of those Artists state within their titles or bio's "Nigerian Dancehall Artist." Stating that in proclamation is respectful acknowledgement right there!
As contradictory or confusing as the title may be to read, the acknowledgement decreases the backlash and argument from audiences to follow. I know a Polish Reggae Artist for goodness sake (she's brilliant actually) but she is very proud to be Polish and not posing as anything else, she just happens to have a soulful singing voice with a great love for Reggae. See now Justin Beiber on the other hand, with releasing a Dancehall influenced song with no Jamaicans seemingly involved, to the extent of flooding the video with Dancers from New Zealand imitating us, was a huge disrespect as voiced within the backlash. Beiber knew better but I'd expect him to play dumb. Respect the culture or don't touch it.
Random note; Caribbeans stood loud and proud when Alicia Keys (Jamaican father) brought out all the big Jamaican Artists to perform with her at either the Grammy's or AMA's about a decade ago. That was a beautiful moment, as well as the other times a few American Artists paid the same kind of homage at an award show as opposed to just impersonating our accents on a track. Too many Rappers to name are guilty as such but at least Foxy Brown didn't embarrass herself, she did well with her accent which many of us rated her for.
However, like I expressed in my 2019 Jamaican Independence Day video; even Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Fergie have made Jamaican influenced songs that had me nearly fall out of my chair in shock. The influence is real people, the influence is real (in my Nene voice). Not so much shocked by Fergie as she is very versatile and I especially love her song L.A Love when she repeats "JAMAICA!" throughout the chorus as I sing-a-long with my chest high. My best friend bought me No Doubt's album and it had about four Reggae songs on there which was quite funny, but what I appreciated was that No Doubt often works directly with Jamaican Artists, as opposed to just emulating them.
Don't forget many British Pop icons made their versions of Reggae music and even Sting did an album with Shaggy not so long ago! There are about four French films that I watched since last year that randomly played Bashment or Reggae in the background, that's how real the influence is. The Caribbean heritage in the world of music is truly evident and embraced worldwide.
It won't be fair for me to even mention Bob Marley or Usain Bolt along with the entire Jamaican track team in this post because they are second to no damn body. They're at the top of both of their categories and not residents or representatives of foreign lands unlike the others to my knowledge. Therefore, they get all the praise necessary in their homelands and will be immortalised for many years to come. However I will big up West Indies cricket team, as they don't get enough love and have been ascending for while now!
Now here's an icon of icons who means more to me right now because his vision is coming true, Marcus Garvey. The Jamaican born Activist who travelled around the world but did most of his work and mission to liberate Black slaves (both the freed and mentally shackled) in America, is most certainly someone who contributed to history and cannot go unmentioned this month or otherwise.
The same goes for Toussaint L'overture and his leading companions of the Haitian Revolution, as well as their ally "Book Man" aka Boukman Dutty who my cousin informed me of, was the freed (or a runaway) slave born in Senegambia as it was formally named in Africa (Senegal and Gambia today) and transported to Jamaica. An educated slave who aided their revolution with his knowledge. I will be looking into that further.
Literature figures (Authors and Poets) and events are big in the Caribbean and I wish that I could list out many of them however, I will have to leave you to do your own research to find out more. Who immediately comes to mind is Guyanese Poet, John Agard. Agard is well known in Britain, primarily for his poem Half-cast which was published in academic anthologies and used for GCSE assessment (great poem by the way).
While we are at it, let's not overlook cultural events, progress, historic and economic changes taking place in the Caribbean right now. Let's acknowledge that the Caribbean Islands whether they be Spanish speaking, full of political disruption and scrutiny or what have you, let's not just look at them as a tourist destination for weddings and get-aways. They are so much more than just small lands of hotels, tax havens, foreigners playgrounds, colonised societies (let's be real), shanty towns and cannabis. They are also a place of great beauty, wealth (middle-class areas, good universities and private schools, oil rich lands, culture rich societies), amazing food, with many great, intelligent, spiritual, talented and influential people (yes there are rotten apples that spoil every group but I'm not reppin' them so please don't bring them into this conversation).
I do wish that both outsiders and natives would do to more to invest in the land and the people of the land as opposed to just take away or flee. For example; Richard Branson is in agreement with me via his actions not just his words. As I wrote years ago, Branson's business hub launched its pilot scheme in Jamaica some years ago to invest in local entrepreneurs, of which I think he is now bringing to surrounding islands following its success. With that said I am very happy to see the wave of British Caribbean expats going back to their home countries the past year and a bit, many of which I know personally. It's for the better. CARIBBEANS UNITE!
Two things that I think should be put on complete mute, as in 'out of sight out of mind' for this month (despite that I only have 5 days of it left), and that is the disrespect of false, white-washed, insulting, unauthentic Caribbean food such as Turtle Bay (who notoriously does not hire Caribbean staff), along with the terror and non-laughable joke of what was Ikea's rice and wrong peas scandal! All Hilton Hotels (and others e.g. Premiere Inn in East Croydon I recall) serving what they believe to be Jerk chicken with mango, and anywhere else trying to profit off our sh*t. STOP IT. AT LEAST FOR THIS MONTH then then you can get back to your foolishness of culinary mockery. What those Restaurant Executives should just do is INVEST in real Afro-Caribbean Chefs/staff, sit back as a silent partner and done. Just had to get that off of my chest.
BIG UP to all the initiatives and non-debt creating infrastructure deals that have been made across the Caribbean over the past decade to sustain themselves with renewable energy! Through my research I learned that this has been happening both quietly and loudly among the region and no doubt with the Chinese, perhaps it was what Obama was in Jamaica for during his last term? I know it had something to do with gas or what have you. These developments including the strong efforts of Branson where he apparently raised $1bn to launch the Caribbean Climate Smart Accelerator initiative, in order to better adapt their circumstances with the effects of climate change, for sustainability against devastating hurricanes, through energy resources basically. Slowly but surely and with SMART, ethical decisions made by trustworthy, moralistic leaders and investors, the sustainability goals shall be achieved!
I was much elated to read such news because for years I saw no reason to why solar panels, wind farms etc, could not be in full swing to power electricity for underprivileged locals, let alone the rich areas. No more time for slackness my people, let's do better, grow and uplift. My heart and hope is with the rebuilding of The Grenadines post volcanic eruption this year. It would be my sweet joy to see all of the Caribbean being more independent, providing for the people who are native to the country as opposed to pleasing and submitting to greedy outsiders. For all the Caribbean Politicians that have done right by the people, much love to you, for all the grassroots Activists that fight oppression and abuse in order to see your country people survive and thrive MUCH LOVE to you, for every influential Caribbean person doing well for yourselves as well as doing your countries proud, MUCH LOVE TO YOU.
There are so much more people, historic events, current events both news worthy and activity-wise (e.g. festivals) to research and indulge in. Learn, explore, celebrate, appreciate, respect and enjoy.
[This is the longest blog post that I have ever written, oh my word].
BIG UP CARIBBEANS!
